1. Well before closing, contact your insurance agent to arrange homeowner's insurance coverage to become effective on the day of closing. Your insurance agent can give you a "binder" letter, certifying coverage is in place. It may be a good idea to make your Offer to Purchase conditional on you being satisfied with obtaining homeowner's insurance and the cost.

2. Note that most lawyers won't be doing many of the tasks they need to do for closing until all conditions, usually through your Realtor, are removed fr...